The Macallan Released A $300 'Rare Cask' Scotch Whisky

The last time The Macallan released a limited edition scotch
whisky (sold only at its distillery in Speyside, Scotland) the
line outside the door was long enough to disrupt the distillery's
day to day activities.

"The workers were both amused and a little annoyed
because it made it difficult for them to get to work in the
morning," said Craig
Bridger, The Macallan's brand
ambassador. It was alarming how
quickly the release sold out.

This latest release, The Macallan Rare Cask, will only be
sold in the United States, so Speyside's distillers are free to
go about their business in peace. Lucky for them, and lucky for
us.

Instead, all the chaos will ensue around liquor stories down by
Wall Street and up to Midtown.

Here's why. What makes The Macallan Rare Cask so rare goes back
to the casks The Macallan uses to age the whisky, Bridger
explained. A team led by The Macallan's master distiller goes to
Spain pick the sherry casks — made of oak, of course. That takes
24 months.

Those casks are "seasoned" sherry for 18 months, are then dried
and sent to Scotland.

"This is
really an homage to our wood program," said Bridger. "We're
one of a small handful of whisky producers, and certainly the
biggest one, that doesn't use artificial coloring."

That's right,
he said "wood program." They even have a Master of Wood. His name
is Stuart MacPherson, in case you were wondering.

After the team
finds 100 casks that are up to snuff, they fill them with some
The Macallan's aging stock.

Only the
whisky in casks that survive that test get bottled. Inside the
bottle is a scotch that manages that starts out with a bold,
spicy taste and leaves your tongue with a light citrus
taste.